Mark 12 - 9.22.26

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Observation

Jesus highlights the poor widow’s offering to His disciples. Although the amount was not as much as the rich people were putting in, He honored her gift above the other offerings because in faith, she gave everything she had.

The poor widow gave in faith, while the rich gave what they were comfortable with or felt safe with. The poor widow who gave in faith is who Jesus pointed out, not the rich, who probably just gave what they could spare.

Application

Do not compare the gifts you are able to offer to the Lord with the gifts your neighbor is offering to the Lord. Instead, give what He has given you and called you to give, in faith.

It’s like the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. What I love about that story is that “talents” does not only relate to money, but to time, gifts, talents, and abilities as well. God wants us to invest our “talents” for the Kingdom and although each person in the parable were given different amounts of talents, they were judged based on what they did with them. The Master was pleased with the servants who invested the talents He gave them, but was displeased with the servant who hid his out of fear.

It is not about the amount we have to offer. It is about the heart behind what we are offering. What is He calling You to give?

God doesn’t judge the outward appearance, He judges the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Prayer

Dear Lord, Your Word says that without faith, it is impossible to please You. I pray that we would live our lives in faith and give of our time, money, ability and talents, investing it in the Kingdom and not bury it in the ground until You return. You have called us to be Your lights in this darkened world and not to hide. I pray against fear, complacency and idleness that cause us to want to live life in safety and for ourselves. May You replace that with faith in You and a faith that moves us to action to serve You and others. Amen.

- Michelle Gaddi

Mark 11 - 9.21.26

SCRIPTURE: Mark 11:12-21

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

OBSERVATION

In this passage, Jesus curses the fig tree after leaving the town of Bethany; then, he cleanses the temple in Jerusalem by overturning the tables and releasing the sacrificial animals.  Both situations have similarities. We see Jesus behaving in a different manner, and many theologians believe that this was a sign of judgment due to the lack of fruit from both the fig tree, Jerusalem, and the Temple. They had a name and reputation but did not live up to it. Although it was not the season for figs, a healthy fig tree bears fruit while the leaves are growing and hangs onto the tree in the spring to be harvested in the summer and fall. Bethany was known for its figs (its Hebrew name meaning House of Figs). Jerusalem was known to be the “City of Peace”, but the Prince of Peace was crucified there, and the Temple was known as the House of God and the House of Prayer which was turned into a den of robbers. 

APPLICATION

As Believers who are the Bride of Christ, we also have a name and reputation to bear good fruit and not just look the part. Non-believers are watching how we treat people, each other, and how we show reverence to God. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lays out the Fruit of the Spirit which are signs of a Believer during our day to day walk with the Lord, and how we encounter others with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,  and self-control. Jesus warned the Pharisees of fruitless or bad fruit behavior in Matthew 23:27 calling them white washed tombs, clean on the outside, looked the part, but filled with uncleanliness on the inside. They conspired to have Jesus killed who lived a life of no sin, but Jesus ultimately saved us through His death and resurrection so that we can live the fruitful life that He has in store for us. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I pray that I can examine myself daily to know that I am displaying the Fruit of Spirit and to be a true representative of You and Your kingdom. I thank You for loving us, grafting us unto Your branch, and pruning us as our Caretaker and being the Vine that allows us to bear fruit. I cannot bear good fruit on my own, but it is You that is the Source. Help me to cling unto You because our strength comes from You.

- Darrence Hamilton

Mark 8 - 9.18.26

Scripture:  Mark 8:34

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. “

Observation: 

Jesus called the people to come and listen.  They might have been distracted talking among themselves, as a teacher I can relate.  Or, maybe they were about their daily business and Jesus called them to come listen.  Regardless, this shows what he was going to say is important.  He is giving instructions on how to be His disciple:

• Deny themselves - we so want to satisfy our own desires and follow our own agenda, but to be a true follower we need to say, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

• Take up your cross - something occurred to me- This is before Jesus died on one.  It doesn’t have the significance it does after Jesus dies on one for our sins.  What could this signify?  Maybe the thing God is calling us to do that seems too hard but we need to trust and do it?  Or a sacrifice for the Kingdom He is asking us to make?  We need to pick up what God is calling us to do and …

• Follow Him - When we follow someone we keep them in view at all times.  We go where they go, turn when they turn, stop when they stop.

Application: 

I want to truly follow Jesus.  I love how God revealed to me simple facts about following someone - YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON THEM!  If you look away they could make a turn you don’t see.  In order to do this there are distractions I need to get rid of.  I need to daily pick up the things God is asking me to do.  Jesus asked God to take the cup from Him.  He was referring to dying on the cross.  That is when He said, “Not my will but Yours be done.”  I need to follow Jesus’s example and do the hard things.  When I obey lives are changed.

Prayer:

Father God, 

Thank you that you have good things for me and I am not left on my own to figure them out.  You are faithful to show me the way to walk in your best for me.  Help me to daily pick up the cross, your will for me.  May I keep my eyes on you so you can give me direction.  When, I stray please guide me back.  Thank you for how wonderful and loving you are. Amen

- Cindy Howard